JOB GOALS AND PERFORMACNE APPRAISAL

Employees in three Internal Revenue Service offices were found in the bathrooms flushing tax returns and other related documents down the toilets. When questioned, they admitted doing it, but offered an interesting explanation for their behavior. The employees supervisors had been putting increasing pressure on them to complete more work in less time. If the piles of tax returns weren’t processed and moved off their desks more quickly, they were told that their performance reviews and salary arises would be adversely affected. Frustrated by few resources and an overworked computer system, the employees decided to “flush way” the paper work on their desks. Although these employees knew what they do was wrong, it illustrates the impact of unrealistic goals and performance appraisals on behavior. Under the stress of unrealistic goals, otherwise ethical employees may feel they have no choice but to do whatever in necessary to meet those goals.